Pine Ridge Man Pleads to Distributing Cocaine in Pine Ridge

United States Attorney Marty J. Jackley announced that Ken Walking Eagle, age 37, of Pine Ridge, appeared before US District Court Chief Judge Karen E. Schreier on May 18, 2009, and pled guilty to count I of an indictment that charged him with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. The penalty upon conviction is a minimum mandatory of ten years and up to life imprisonment and/or a $4,000,000 fine. Between 1999 and Decembe, 2008, Walking Eagle was part of a conspiracy to distribute cocaine on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and elsewhere. The investigation was conducted by OST, BIA, ATF and FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Mark A. Vargo. A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for August 10, 2009. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the US Marshal pending sentencing.